Town council opposes plan for housing on former tool hire site

TOWN councillors are objecting to a proposed development of 10 homes on an old tool hire centre site at Honiton.

The proposal for the former Northcote Tool Hire Centre, in Monkton Road, involves a terrace of eight, three-storey, three-bedroom homes with two further two-bedroom maisonettes over four garages.

But while Honiton Town Council is opposing the scheme on the grounds of over-development and visual impact, East Devon District Council planning officers are advising approval.

The project is due to be discussed at tonight's district council development control committee meeting.

Cllr Vivienne Ash, who represents St Paul's ward in Honiton, said she had concerns about the site.

"I appreciate the applicant has a difficult job as the site is right by a railway embankment, but I think it is a very intense site and it has very little amenity space to it," she said.

"I have been trying to work with the applicant and with the urban designer to try to make improvements.

"But officers are recommending approval, so we will have to wait to see how the members view it this evening.

"It is within the the development boundary of the town so housing is appropriate for the site."

The plot has a long planning history with two outline planning applications refused in July 2003 and September 2007.

Another application in October 2007 was withdrawn.

A spokesman for the district council said: "The two previous applications were outline proposals.

"As such they did not go into detail about overcoming some of the problems this council had identified regarding standard of amenity for residents and also drainage issues.

"The latest application has the benefit of learning from the previous refusals and the advice of an inspector who conducted an appeal hearing into the first proposal.

"As a result, district council officers are recommending that permission should be granted, subject to certain conditions.

"The development control committee will consider all of the arguments and representations put forward, including the opinion of the town council, and will come to a balanced view as to what is the best outcome."